James Donald Spence

Posted: Wednesday, Aug 14th, 2013

Sept. 10, 1934-July 2013

VALENTINE, Neb. – A memorial service for James Donald “Jim” Spence, 78, of Valentine, will be held on Aug. 17, 2013 at the First Wyoming United Presbyterian Church in Torrington at 10:30 a.m. Jim died July 2013 at his home in Valentine.

Burial will follow at the Valley View Cemetery in Torrington. Cremation has taken place under the direction of the Holmes Funeral Home in Valentine. Memorials may be made to the First Wyoming United Presbyterian Women’s Association in Torrington.

Jim was born on Sept. 10, 1934 in Melpha, Neb., the son of Leslie and Claire (Mayhew) Spence. He graduated from Torrington High School with the class of 1953. Jim served in the U.S. Navy from November 1955 through August 1957 and was honorably discharged.

On June 1, 1958, he married Eleanor E. Eggers in Henry, Neb. The couple was blessed with two sons, James and Kent. They lived in various locations in eastern Wyoming, Nebraska and Montana, spending most of their time in Valentine and Fort Peck, Mont.

Jim worked as a rancher until he was employed with the Department of Interior, first in Valentine and then in Fort Peck, until his retirement in March 1995.

In his younger years, Jim participated in team roping and calf roping. He enjoyed the outdoors and liked to hunt. He was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed following college sports, especially Nebraska Huskers’ football. After Jim and Eleanor both retired, they enjoyed visiting and playing cards with friends, volunteering at Senior Centers in both Fort Peck and Valentine, traveling and their trips to Deadwood.

Jim is survived by his two sons: James (Kathy) of Lincoln, Neb., and Kent (Pat) of Omaha, Neb.; mother Claire of Torrington; brothers Bill (Jean) of Caldwell, Idaho and Dale (Janet) of Denver, Colo.; and four grandchildren: Zac, Shawn, Scott and Tyson.